Cybersecurity
‘No time to waste’ in prepping governments for AI cyber threats, top Dem lawmaker says
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called on the Department of Homeland Security to work closer with states and localities, and bemoaned the end of federal funding to an information-sharing center.
Canvas breach spotlights cybercriminal appetite for student data
Cyberattacks on widely used third-party services like Canvas can expose sensitive data that hackers can later weaponize. Higher education institutions are often a prime target.
Senator warns CISA election security pullback could leave midterms vulnerable
Mark Warner, the Senate Intelligence Committee’s top Democrat, pressed DHS over reports that states are no longer receiving the same cybersecurity and protection support ahead of the 2026 elections.
CISA unveils CI Fortify to help secure critical infrastructure during conflicts
For years, U.S. officials have assessed that China is infiltrating non-military critical infrastructure to enable sabotage during a major conflict involving Taiwan.
State cyber officials’ confidence is down, survey finds
The study by NASCIO and Deloitte found that just 26% of respondents are extremely or very confident they can protect themselves from cyber threats, down from 48% in 2022.
The new leadership playbook: What public sector CISOs need now
COMMENTARY | AI and quantum have changed the game and made threats faster and bigger. Leaders must invest in their teams, learn fast and not wait to migrate their tools and platforms.
Pro-Iran hackers appear to ramp up critical infrastructure cyberattacks
A group sympathetic to the regime claimed responsibility for a hack on the Los Angeles Metro, while the federal government is warning of ongoing vulnerabilities in some systems.
World needs to ‘get ready’ for more powerful AI, Anthropic co-founder says
The company’s powerful Mythos, unveiled earlier this month, won’t be the only supercharged AI system to hit the market, Jack Clark said.
Experts call for proactive, tech-driven approach to fraud prevention
State programs have been under federal scrutiny in recent times, and leaders said this moment must be a time for looking ahead and learning for the future, rather than recriminations.
How Iranian hackers pose a threat to US critical infrastructure
COMMENTARY | A cyberattack on a US corporation illustrates how state-aligned hackers operate, and how damage in war today isn’t always visible or geographically confined.
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Why small municipalities have become cybercriminals' favorite prey
COMMENTARY | City and county managers can no longer see cybersecurity as an IT problem. They can take various practical steps before an incident occurs.
New Texas Cyber Command looks to ‘bind the state together’
The command went live in September, and must build an information-sharing and analysis center, a threat intelligence center, a digital forensics lab and an incident response unit.
Stryker hack could set stage for more pro-Iran cyber sabotage
Attacks like the one on the Michigan-based medical tech company could indicate that bad actors are expanding their targets to these shores.
Experts warn of coming ‘reprioritization’ for cyber funding
A popular federal grant program looks unlikely to be replenished, they said, so states must start thinking differently about how they want to fund their cybersecurity efforts.
Feds pledge beefed up information-sharing amid new cyber strategy
Administration officials also promised a stronger focus on protecting critical infrastructure and bolstering the cyber workforce during a series of talks at a summit this week.
Report: States are taking a cautious approach to agentic AI
The new phase of AI has piqued tech leaders’ interest, but a recent report indicates that they are still trying to understand the technology first.
Iran-linked hacktivists could target governments, experts warn
State and local governments and some crucial technology infrastructure are among the key retaliatory targets as hostilities escalate in the Middle East.
Why quantum security must be on every CIO’s 2026 priority list
COMMENTARY | The consequences of a quantum-backed cyberattack could be tremendous, especially if they target critical infrastructure. Too many states have not planned ahead.
Leaders sound the alarm for physical and cyber attacks ahead of summer World Cup
A lack of federal grant funding and information sharing could hamper preparations, they said, and leave cities vulnerable to physical or cyberattacks when games get underway.
Rethinking how state and local cyber teams are built and supported
COMMENTARY | To stay ahead, we must address how we build and support teams while leveraging technology to defend our critical infrastructure.
